Empowering Sustainability: Lightweight Solar Panels for Roofs with Limited Load Capacity

For many commercial property owners, the potential to harness solar energy has been limited by the structural constraints of their buildings. Traditional solar panels are often too heavy for roofs with limited load-bearing capacity. This has left a significant portion of commercial buildings unable to take advantage of solar power. The good news is advancements in solar technology are now providing a solution. Lightweight solar panels, designed specifically for roofs that can't support the weight of traditional systems, are opening new opportunities for businesses to embrace sustainability and reduce energy costs. In this blog we’ll explore how these innovative solar panels are transforming the solar landscape, making renewable energy accessible to more commercial properties than ever before.

The rising popularity of solar power in commercial premises

Solar energy is at the forefront of the UK's ambitious target to reach net zero by 2050. By harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity, we can significantly reduce the harmful pollution caused by fossil fuel-based power stations. That’s why it’s become the go-to choice for commercial properties. 

 

By generating their own electricity, businesses can significantly reduce their energy bills and their dependence on the national grid, minimising the risks associated with power outages or disruptions. This is especially advantageous for warehouses that heavily rely on a steady electricity supply, where any interruption could lead to lost productivity and revenue. Introducing solar can also shield commercial operations against energy price hikes and help them showcase a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Moreover, solar energy helps commercial property owners meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). These standards, which apply to both domestic and non-domestic properties in England and Wales, require landlords to ensure that commercial properties achieve at least an EPC E rating. Introduced in April 2018, these standards are expected to become even stricter, especially under Labour’s plans to enhance energy efficiency as part of their broader sustainability and carbon reduction goals.

 

The challenge: roofs unable to support traditional solar panels

Unfortunately, around 40% of commercial buildings cannot support the weight of traditional solar panels. However, with advancements in solar technology, lightweight panels are now available that can be installed on roofs with lower load-bearing capacity. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with HG Group, experts in lightweight solar technology, allowing us to install solar systems on commercial premises previously deemed unsuitable for traditional panels.

Before delving into this exciting new solar technology, it’s essential to understand why many commercial roofs cannot accommodate solar panels. The ability of a roof to bear additional weight depends on several factors, including:

 

• Structural integrity: The roof’s structure, including beams, trusses, and supports, must be robust enough to carry the weight of the panels and associated equipment, such as mounting hardware.
• Roof age: Older roofs may not be in the best condition to support additional weight, particularly if they show signs of wear and tear.
• Design loads: Roofs are designed to handle specific loads, including dead loads (the weight of the roof itself and any equipment) and live loads (like snow, rain, and maintenance personnel). Adding solar panels increases the dead load, which must remain within the roof's design limits.
• Wind and snow loads: In regions with heavy snow or strong winds, the roof must be able to endure the additional stress that these conditions can create when combined with the weight of solar panels.
  

 

Introducing lightweight solar panels

While reinforcing the roof structure with additional supports, beams or trusses can enable it to handle traditional solar panels, this approach can be costly and may require significant construction work, potentially disrupting production and operations.

New lightweight solar panels offer a far better solution. Traditional panels weigh around 20kg, whereas these lightweight panels weigh only 7.5kg, yet still deliver an output power per square installation area as high as 250W/㎡. Unlike traditional panels, lightweight panels don’t feature metal frames and glass. This makes them incredibly light and highly flexible, allowing for installation on various surfaces, including curved ones. However, while these new lightweight panels will open up solar opportunities for many commercial landlords, they won’t be suitable for every roof.

As a specialist solar PV provider, we are here to support your journey toward a sustainable future. Contact us today-to discuss your -solar PV requirements, and let us design a fully integrated solar solution while helping you achieve your sustainability goals. We’re here to plug you in to a clean energy future!